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Cameron B. drank Smoky Earl Grey by Fortnum & Mason

4213 tasting notes

Sipdown! (24 | 240)

Mastress Alita’s Sipdown Challenge (September) – “A tea with a strong aroma”

It doesn’t get much more aromatic than an Earl Grey with a smoked base!

Really enjoyed this tea overall, the smokiness is fairly mellow and doesn’t take over the cup, and it’s more of a savory meaty smoke than a charcoal one. The bergamot is more of a supporting flavor, and adds a nice bright, lemony component to lighten it up a bit. Base is smooth and very earthy.

Very pleasant, but I’m not sure I need more than one smoky Earl Grey in my cupboard, and I prefer Lupicia’s Earl Grey Grand Classic to this tea. :)

Flavors: Bergamot, Citrus, Earthy, Lemon, Meat, Mineral, Savory, Smoked, Smooth, Woody

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

I Like This

14 likes

3 comments

gmathis
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I don’t like EG without something else in it to balance out the bergamot, but if it were me thinking up the tea blends, I would never have thought, “hey, let’s add smoke!” :)

Cameron B.
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I prefer it with additional flavors as well, usually a bit of extra citrus or fruit. I’m not a smoky tea lover myself but I do find it goes well with bergamot!

ashmanra
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I enjoyed this one!

People who liked this

Comments

gmathis
Delete

I don’t like EG without something else in it to balance out the bergamot, but if it were me thinking up the tea blends, I would never have thought, “hey, let’s add smoke!” :)

Cameron B.
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I prefer it with additional flavors as well, usually a bit of extra citrus or fruit. I’m not a smoky tea lover myself but I do find it goes well with bergamot!

ashmanra
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I enjoyed this one!

Profile

Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- December sipdowns: 0
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 156

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia (or monkfruit, etc.).

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing